Motorcycle Sizes: What’s Right for You?

Why It’s Important That Your Motorcycle Fits Right

The rider and the motorcycle need to function as a single, integrated unit. If your motorcycle and your body fit awkwardly together, you’re going to have a more difficult time controlling the bike and concentrating on the road. 

Size mismatches can manifest in all kinds of potentially dangerous ways. You might find that you have to work too hard to reach the controls, making your reaction time longer and your handling less assured. (Getting a hands-free motorcycle helmet Bluetooth headset can help you communicate and free up your hands more, but it won’t make your arms any longer!) 

If the bike is too tall or too heavy for you, it will also be more difficult to maneuver at low speeds. You need the use of your feet when you’re sitting at a light or in stop-and-go traffic, and these are some situations in which it’s easiest to drop your bike if you don’t have the maneuverability you need. 

Motorcycle Types by Size and Height

There are many different types of motorcycles, and each offers something a little bit different when it comes to the bike’s height and weight: 

-Cruisers feature some of the lowest seats of any type of motorcycle, which helps them fit a variety of body types and sizes. They’re heavier than sport and adventure bikes, but most are still light enough that the average rider will find them manageable. However, the leaned-back sitting position of a cruiser means that the controls may be hard to reach for people with short arms. 

-Standard motorcycles typically have a mid-level seat that’s not extremely low or high. The large variety of standard models on the market makes it easier to find something that fits out of the box, and most standards are also relatively light in weight. 

-Sport motorcycles have relatively high seats to give them better cornering ability, which can be challenging for shorter riders. Their leaned-forward riding position, however, makes it easier to access the controls.  Weight-wise, sport bikes are on the lighter side. 

-Touring motorcycles have low seats that are designed for maximum comfort on extended rides. However, they are also among the heaviest of all motorcycles, and thus aren’t usually recommended for beginning riders.  

-Adventure or dual-sport motorcycles have higher seats inspired in part by dirt bikes. Again, this can be a problem for shorter riders. But, like sport bikes, adventure bikes are typically fairly light, with springy suspensions that compress more under a rider’s weight. 

Source: Alexander Kirch/Shutterstock

How a Motorcycle Should Fit

The best way to evaluate whether a motorcycle fits is to sit on it for yourself. Once you’re in the saddle, take notice of the following things: 

-You should comfortably be able to at least touch the toes on both feet to the ground. If you’re buying your first motorcycle, it’s much better if you can stand firmly flat-footed. 

-It should be easy to get the motorcycle up off its kickstand and back down onto it without struggling with the weight and height. 

-All hand controls (throttle, clutch, etc.) should be within easy reach without having to stretch. 

If you’ve got a particular model in mind, you can use the free tool Cycle Ergo to calculate how it will sit with your height and inseam, although not all models and model years may be available. 

Adjusting a Motorcycle’s Height

If a bike doesn’t fit just right at first, there are two main ways to adjust it to suit the rider’s preference: replacing or adjusting your seat, or adjusting your motorcycle’s suspension. 

Altering the seat should be the first thing you consider when thinking about how to adjust your riding experience. Getting a new seat that rides a little lower or higher is often the best option, and you can get a seat that fits your body more comfortably while you’re at it. You can also do a DIY seat adjustment by removing your saddle cover and shaving down the foam, although this can result in a strange-looking and uncomfortable seat. 

Adjusting the preload of your motorcycle’s suspension is the next option to consider if you need the bike to sit lower or higher. On most bikes, adjusting the preload is as easy as turning a dial, although note that this will change how the suspension feels and can result in a rougher ride. Other aspects of the motorcycle’s suspension, like the length of its forks, can be adjusted but aren’t usually recommended for DIY unless you know what you’re doing. 

Source: lassedesignen/Shutterstock

Motorcycling is about finding your zone, whether that’s the perfect music blasting in your motorcycle helmet speakers or the bike that fits you like a glove. Take a minute to check out our helmet communication system options. Cardo Systems offers leading-edge tech like the Cardo Packtalk Bold that will help you stay in touch and stay safe on the road.